National Office Staff


The National Office of Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) is based in Wellington.  It oversees and coordinates key functions including development and delivery of our teacher education and professional development programmes, membership services and advocacy.

 

Chief Executive

Nancy Bell

Provides national leadership and coordination and includes corporate services such as human resources, communications and finance.

Leading the organisation is Nancy Bell as Chief Executive.  As an early childhood teacher, tertiary educator and parent, Nancy is committed to NZCA's vision of high quality early childhood education that responds to what parents need and supports their aspirations for their children. She is excited by New Zealand's changing early childhood education landscape and to know that we are playing a big part in its progress. 

Contact: Chief Executive

Nancy Bell, Chief Executive NZCA

Kaupapa Māori

Kahuwaeio Katene

Appointed as Kaiārahi, Kahuwaeio Katene (Tuwharetoa and Ngāti Kahungunu) provides cultural guidance and support to staff throughout the organisation.  A mother of 8, grandmother of 26 and great grandmother to 18, Kahu was involved in the beginnings of the Kohanga Reo movement as well as qualifying and working as as an early childhood teacher.  She is passionate about the difference that quality early education makes to children and families.
 
Updated photo of Kahu Katene to be inserted

Senior Management Group

Pouhere Kaupapa Māori
Roimata Kirikiri

Roimata Kirikiri (Ngāti Rākaipaka, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu and Ngāti Porou) took up the position of Pouhere Kaupapa Maori this year, coming from a background as parent, teacher and senior manager supporting Māori development within the education sector.  Roimata works across the organisation to achieve good outcomes for Māori children in ECE services in Aotearoa and is passionate about building a bicultural nation for the 21st century.

Contact:  Pouhere Kaupapa Māori

 

Director Academic Programmes
Sue Vaealiki

Sue Vaealiki has been involved in management and academic leadership in tertiary and early childhood education organisations. She enjoys the challenge of working in a dynamic organisation that provides innovative initial teacher education. Her passion is to see our graduates making a difference in the lives of young children and intergrating a bicultural approach in their teaching.

Contact: Director Academic Programmes   

 

Director Education Delivery
Jane Ewens 

Beginning as a Playcentre parent, Jane Ewens has wide ECE sector, management and government experience including tertiary education. As Director Education Delivery, Jane is passionate about growing strong, reflective and responsive teachers through NZCA's high quality, initial teacher education and professional development programmes. She believes that teachers, children and parents working together is the way to ensure strong learning foundations for children.

Contact: Director Education Delivery  
 

Manager Human Resources
Christina Edmonds

Contact: Manager Human Resources

 
 
 

Manager Finance and Infrastructure
John Diggins

Contact: Manager Finance and Infrastructure

 

Marketing and Communications Manager
Simon Horrocks

Graduating in the UK in Media and Communications, his background includes running a social enterprise specialising in TV and video production. With a background in the moving image, Simon has always been passionate about telling stories, visual communication and the construction of meaning. His continuing career includes diverse marketing and corporate communications across a range of sectors. His key professional interests are branding, corporate identity and direct marketing.

Contact: Marketing and Communications Manager

 
Senior Management Group Dec 2011